Parents Are Getting Worse at Telling When Their Kids Are Overweight

By
Paige Brettingen

December 4, 2016

Parents are hugely influential in laying the groundwork for good health habits, so what happens when they are either unaware or in denial about their child’s need for more exercise and a healthier diet? As one study has discovered, surprisingly, parents aren't the best at spotting when their child is becoming overweight or obese and, sadly, it’s only getting worse. The survey, which compared parents’ responses in recent years to those from 1988 to 1994, found that 95 percent of parents considered their child to be of normal weight when the child was actually overweight (with a body mass index between the 85th and 95th percentiles as compared to children of the same age and sex). Most concerning, however, is that 78 percent of parents in the most recent survey didn’t believe their child’s weight was at an unhealthy level even though they were obese (having a BMI in the 95th percentile or above). In conclusion, experts found that there was a 30 percent decline in the ability of parents to offer accurate perceptions of their child’s weight when compared to the 1988 to 1994 survey. Do you have any suggestions for healthy traditions parents can start in effort to reduce their children's risk of obesity (such as participating in a recurring physical activity together or taking a nutritious cooking class as a family)? Share your ideas in the comments below.